An "incredibly vulnerable" harbour seal pup found Tuesday evening (May 27) on the White Rock shoreline is the first of the 2025 season, say officials with the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR).
Discovery of the youngster – a tiny male named Zeus – was reported by a member of the public, and prompted a rapid response from the organization’s trained rescue team, a news release issued Friday (May 30) states.
Transported to the Marine Mammal Rescue centre, Zeus’s condition requires special care, the release continues, explaining that he was found still covered in white lanugo fur, a layer typically shed before birth.
Rescue society senior manager Lindsaye Akhurst – a Semiahmoo Peninsula resident – told Peace Arch News that she and her daughter Maelle, 10, attended the waterfront scene after seeing photos that accompanied the report of Zeus's discovery.
He "was a little bit hypothermic-looking, lethargic and had that extra white coat on him, the lanugo, which is an indicator that they're born early," Akhurst said Monday (June 2). He also still had remnants of his umbilical cord.
"So we knew that he had to be brought in for rehabilitation."
Akhurst estimated Zeus, found at the high-tide line following "one of the lowest tides of the year," had been on his own for eight to 12 hours.
She said she is "cautiously optimistic" about the pup's recovery, noting he is "responding well to treatment."
"As of this morning, he's showing some signs of stabilization, which has been really great to see," she said.
"Still has a long way to go, and he'll probably be with us for two to three months. Fingers crossed we make it to that part."
Zeus’s name was chosen through VAMMR’s Name a Seal program (vammr.org), which allows supporters to symbolically name a rescued seal pup while helping fund their care.
His rescue marks the beginning of what VAMMR anticipates could be a busy season, the release notes.
Akhurst said the centre typically tends to "upwards of 100" harbour seal pups every year, with the majority "dehydrated, emaciated little guys that just need that second chance to get back out there again."
Anyone finding a pup that they believe is in distress is reminded to keep their distance and report the find to VAMMR, at 604-258-7325 (SEAL). Most pups on beaches are not abandoned, but well-meaning interference can do more harm than good, the release adds.
As part of its Seal Smart public-awareness campaign, VAMMR’s latest podcast episode – The PinniPOD Episode 2: Do Not Disturb (Seal Pup 101) – offers tips.
This little fella was rescued from White Rock's shoreline. Now he's in care with @vammrs
— Peace Arch News (@PeaceArchNews) May 30, 2025
(Story to come shortly!) pic.twitter.com/9rUuPBoWQT
